Material Frontier丨Silicone Resin Introduction

Preamble

Silicone resins are semi-inorganic and semi-organic polymers with a main chain consisting of -Si-O- and side chains with organic groups. Due to its multiple reactive groups, it is able to undergo further cross-linking reactions, resulting in the formation of an insoluble and non-melting three-dimensional structure of the cured product. The product has many excellent properties, such as high and low temperature resistance, weather aging resistance, water repellent and moisture resistant, high dielectric strength, low dielectric loss, arc resistance, and irradiation resistance. General-purpose solution silicone resins are mainly used as base polymers for heat-resistant coatings, weather-resistant coatings and high-temperature-resistant electrical insulating materials.

Technical progress

There are many different types of silicone products, and silicone resins were among the first to be manufactured and used. About 20 years ago, technological advances in aryl heterocyclic high temperature resistant polymers led to the partial replacement of silicone resins. However, the solvent toxicity and complex curing conditions of these polymers limited their expanded applications. Therefore, in recent years there has been a renewed interest in the research and development of silicone resins. Compared to other polymers, silicone resins have many outstanding advantages, such as a wide temperature range, aging resistance and good moisture resistance.

Characteristic classification

Resins can be categorized into two main groups: thermoplastic resins and thermosetting resins. Thermoplastic resins have the unique property of being able to dissolve in a solvent and become liquid when heated, as well as undergoing multiple dissolving and solidifying processes. Thermosetting resins, on the other hand, have higher-end properties and are able to form a permanent solid that is irreversible when heated and will not dissolve or melt again.

Major category:

Silicone Adhesives

Pure silicone resin adhesives are made of silicone resin as a base material, mixed with certain inorganic fillers and organic solvents, and are used to bond metals, glass fiber reinforced plastics, etc. Because silicone resins, especially phenyl silicone resins, have particularly good heat resistance, they are often used as high-temperature adhesives.

silicone resin

Silicone glass cloth laminated resin can be used to make high-temperature relay shells, radar radomes, printed circuit boards and other components, but also as a variety of switchgear, transformer bushings and so on. Silicone molding resin is widely used in rocket, aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, but also can be made of high-power DC motor contactors, terminal boards, heat-resistant insulation materials. In addition, silicone foam resin can be used as lightweight, high-temperature, moisture-resistant materials, and can be filled with spacecraft, rocket propellers, wings, nacelles and other parts.

fluorosilicone resin (chemistry)

Fluorosilicone resins are organic fluorosilicone polymers introduced into other polymers to improve their surface properties and to synthesize some functional low surface energy polymeric materials. The introduction of fluorine and silicon elements into polyurethane polymers can lead to better surface properties, such as water resistance, oil resistance and abrasion resistance. For epoxy resin, its adhesion, hardness, impact resistance, heat resistance and water resistance can be improved through modification. Fluorosilicone resin can fully utilize the excellent performance of organic fluorine resin and organic silicone resin, and it can be cured into film at room temperature with long service life.

Summarize

Although silicone products have not developed as rapidly as other polymers over the past few decades, there is now a renewed interest in the research and development of silicone resins. Compared with other polymers, silicone resins have many advantages, such as a wide temperature range, good aging resistance, and good moisture resistance. Also, thermosetting silicone plastics have high heat resistance and electrical insulation properties. In the future, these silicone products are expected to play an important role in a wider range of applications in fields such as aerospace, electrical and chemical engineering.